118 On the Cedar in Scenery. 



Their decided stiff form is objectionable either in nature or 

 in representation, unless supported towards their base by 

 some contrasting foliage and forms. In park scenery it would 

 be highly objectionable to inti'oduce poplars, either singly or 

 in groups, unsupported by any other trees, as their style of 

 growth is so much at variance from that natural irregularity 

 of character so essential to the picturesque. Where they 

 are embodied in plantations of various characters of growth, 

 their towering forms may contribute to produce grace, dig- 

 nity, or grandeur. The effect of this composition Mr. 

 Thompson has happily elucidated in his sketch No. 3. With 

 respect to the continued lines of reflection produced in the 

 water, I imagine that this would have been considerably 

 improved by the introduction of pendant forms, as the weep- 

 ing willow, which, assisted by trees of a more circular 

 character, in conjunction with that of the poplar, would have 

 very much enhanced the beauty of the scenery. 



45. Vincent Square, 

 February, 1826. 



Art. V. Remarks on the Effect of the Cedar of Lebanon^ in 

 Landscape. By John Thompson, Esq. Pictorial Draughts- 

 man, and Student of Landscape Gardening. 



The cedar of Lebanon assumes a very romantic and 

 imposing appearance, and from its frequent mention in sacred 

 history, is ever associated with ideas of grandeur and 

 architectural magnificence. There is even something archi- 

 tectural in its form ; the thick upright stem, supporting the 

 horizontal branches, in a great measure accord with the 

 pillars and copings of buildings. This may be seen by 

 reference to the inspired pictures of Martin, when Assyrian 

 history has been the subject of his pencil. — He has realized 

 all that the most vivid imagination could conceive of Eastern 

 splendour — and the famous hanging gardens have not 

 been forgotten. In them the cedar is the most prominent 

 tree, which he has shown mixed with cypresses, and a few low 

 shrubs and flowers forming a mass simple but grand, and 

 quite in unison with the architectural character of the scene. 

 The accompanying sketch (fg. 16.) is from an etching of the 

 destruction of Babylon, and represents part of the hanging 

 gardens. 



Thus it may be inferred that cedars should always be the 

 accompaniment of palaces, public buildings, and superior 

 residences, though they are seldom met with so situated. 



